Kudzordzi Derrick

TROUBLE WORLD

PRESENTS

VENGEANCE OF TIME

EPISODE ONE

All of Alpha Haven had to assemble in the great hall to meet the Apex Ordeal when the bell tower rang. As everyone would be in the great hall, Leonardo OSullivan, also known as Leo, and his group from the Under City devised a plan to raid the Alpha Haven food bank. That was the only time the food bank wasn guarded and to Leos dismay, Naima had already beaten them to the punch. Spooked by Leo and his companions, she accidentally tripped over the alarm that sent signals to the Alpha Haven Police Departments Code Agents. She quickly made a run for it leaving the boys to fend for themselves. ”Oh shit ” Leo murmured. Kwame responded as the guards moved in their direction, ”Oh shit is alright, we got to bounce ”. The boys split up to stand a chance of escaping from what Wiz describes as ”an angry pack of wolves ”. Unfortunately for Leo, he fell over a loose shoelace, and before he could stand up, an officer was standing over him, shining his flashlight in his face. While his friends escaped, he was sent back for further interrogation.

Back at the great hall, the Apex Ordeal was admonishing the residents of Alpha Haven to cut ties from the inhabitants of the Under City as they are to blame for the conflict that brewed between the two cities. Although the Apex Ordeal, in a bid to form a new world order and seizing control of all power by dominating the Under City, were the driving force behind the conflict that took the lives of many innocent people, including Alphonso OSullivan, Leonardo OSullivans father, they were successful in attributing it to the Under City. All interactions between residents of Alpha Haven and those of the Under City was prohibited. Anyone found in violation of this new decree was set to face the death penalty. After the great hall meeting, Miles Kohuj, the brother of Bazan Kohuj, the leader of the Apex Ordeal was making his way back to his residence after his steamy meeting with his mistress, Desiree OSullivan, Leonardo OSullivans mother, known to her conquests as Vassa, was approached by officer Spike, after several failed attempts to find Bazan Kohuj himself, reporting the imprisonment of the trespasser during the great hall meeting. Looking for an excuse for where he was during the great hall meeting because he knows his brother will ask for his whereabouts during the meeting, Miles took over the case and went to interrogate the prisoner immediately. On his way to question the prisoner, he was eager to have the perpetrator prosecuted to send a message to the people of the Under City. ”Open the cell ”, he ordered officer Spike as Leo turned around to meet his prosecutor. Miles Kohuj upon seeing Leonardo OSullivan was utterly speechless as Leo was a spitting image of him.

”Can we have the room? ” he said to the officer as he cleared his throat. ”So, are you going to tell me who you are? ” Miles asked. ”The day I do that is the day pigs start to fly ” Leo responded with a smirk on his face. ”What did you say? ” Miles asked with a disturbed look on his face. ”You heard me, ” Leo replied with fury in his voice. ”You know, I didn catch your name ” Leo stares at Miles as if to say he was waiting for a signal and after a while responds, ”I didn throw it ”. ”You know I got a question for you, do you ask these stupid questions all the time ” Leo asked. Just as Miles was about to reply, the sound of a phone call came from the inner pockets of his suit. ”Keep that thought, I have to take this ” he said as he answered the phone. ”Hey you, miss me already ” he said with an ear to ear smile on his face. Suddenly, that same disturbed look from before resurfaced on his face again as he asked ”excuse me ”. After what seemed to be a loss in thought, he hung up the phone and, with a flustered look, asked Leo, ”Do you know vassa? ” ”Who? ” Leo replied. Damn it, boy, stop messing with me miles exclaimed with a loud bang on the table, which startled Leo. He aggressively went through his cell phone and, after a while, showed a photo of it to Leo, saying, ”Here do you know this woman. ” Leo took his time, trying to hold back what looked like anger, and in a raging voice asked, ”What is a photo of my mom doing on your phone? ”

EPISODE TWO

Shattered by the response of Leo, Miles gathered what strength he had left in him and summoned the guard. ”Answer me, ” Leo exclaimed, in an angry tone. The door opened and Miles whispered to the officer, saying, ”Don let anyone in here and speak a word of this to no one till I come back. ” Hey!!! Where do you think you
e going? Answer me. I swear to God, if you so much as touch a hair on my moms head, I will kill you. ”Leo exclaimed angrily, as humanly as possible.

Crippled with emotions, Miles made a call just as he was heading out of the prison site. Hello, meet me in an hour, the usual place, he said as he entered his residence. Back at the Under City, Kwame and Wiz meet at their usual spot but are surprised when Leo hasn made it back. On their way to look for Leo, Wiz suspects someone is following them. His suspicion soon becomes certainty when a creepy sound makes him stop and look back, only to find that Kwame is no longer behind him. With fear in his voice, he exclaims, ”What do you want from me? If you
e not afraid, come out here and face me, man to man. ”A super-fast creature knocks him out cold before he can say anything else.

”Walk with me, ” Bazan Kohuj orders officer Spike as he spots him on his way to his residence. ”Have you seen my brother? ” he asks. Officer Spike responds, ”No, sir. ”Are you sure you are lying? ” Bazan asks. Officer Spike fumbles, ”Yes sir, sorry, no sir. ” which is what Spike Reagan OMalley, Bazan exclaims in an angry tone. ”I haven seen your brother, sir, ” officer Spike responds reassuringly. After giving officer Spike a direct glance, Bazans face briefly seemed to develop what appeared to be a sneer. ”Mm hmm, let me know if you catch even a whiff of his ridiculous cologne, ” he said, dismissing officer Spike.

”Wake up, sleepyheads, ” Naima says, while slapping Kwame and Wiz out of their momentary slumber. ”Who are you and what do you want from us? ” Kwame asks with fury in his voice. ”Why are you guys following me? ” Naima asks, ready to knock them out again. ”First it was the food bank, and now its here who sent you, ” she added. ”Wait a minute, aren you the girl from the food bank? ” Wiz mutters as he recognizes Naima from the incident from earlier at the Alpha Haven food bank. ”You know, you almost got us in trouble back there, ” he added, as Naima rolled her eyes. ”Yeah, girl, and for that you have to compensate us. It was supposed to be ours anyway, if your busy body self hadn been there. Who sent you even? ”Kwame burst out playfully. Just before he could utter another word, a heavy slap landed on his cheeks. ”Ouch, what was that for? ” Kwame manages to ask as he massages his jaw. ”You talk too much, and honestly, from what I have seen so far, its no wonder your friend didn make it out, ” Naima said in a strict tone. ”Wait, what do you mean he didn make it out? ” Wiz and Kwame exclaimed, perplexed. ”What is this, a choir meeting? ”I said your friend was caught by one of the guards, ” Naima explained.

Miles arrives at one of his condos and suspects that someone has broken into it. He immediately pulls a gun from behind him and walks into the building, only to find Desiree dressed in sultry red lingerie that accentuates her curves, standing by the kitchen counter eating strawberries coated in chocolate. ”Damn it, Vassa, you almost gave me a scare, ” he exclaims relieved. ”How do you think I feel dressed like this with a gun pointed at me? ” she asked as she took a sip of champagne. ”Vassa, I have to tell you something, ” Miles said worriedly. ”Do that when we
e done. ”You won have me looking like this for nothing, ” she replied as she went up the stairs. ”What I have to say is very important, Vassa, ” he exclaimed. Isn it always? You coming? ”She asked, looking back at him from the stairwell. Left without a choice, he goes after her. When they finally settle into the bedroom, he is silenced by Desiree as she goes down on him as he tries to talk. Miles tried his best to talk, but all he could let out was a satisfied moan. Desiree, pissed at Miles lack of interest, stops immediately and questions, ”What is it, what is so damn important that you have to tell me? ” ”Your son, ” he mumbles, ”What about my son? ” ”Hold up, how you know my son? ” she asked angrily. As Miles was explaining the situation to her, she interrupted him, screaming on top of her voice, ”Where is my son Miles? ” In his lowest possible tone, he replies, ”Hes been imprisoned by one of the guards for trespassing and robbery. ”

EPISODE THREE

Shook by Miles response, Desiree zoned out. ”Vassa! Vassa! Vassa! ” Miles exclaimed as he snapped his fingers at her, but Desiree remained still without any movement. With pity for the woman that stood in front of him, he couldn help but hug her, giving Desiree a chance to slip her hand to the side of his suit to take his gun from underneath him. ”Take me to my son, ” she utters painfully. Back at Bazans residence, he walks in on his lead security officer and his girlfriend and stands back until they notice his presence. ”Oh shoot, ” officer Thorzan whispers, as he notices Bazan from across the room. Oh don stop on my account, youd only be troubling. ”What is your name, love? ” he asks officer Thorzans companion. ”Imani, ” she responds. ”Right, youd only be troubling Imani, ” he added mischievously. They hurriedly rushed into their clothes. ”Uhm, have you seen my panties? ” Imani asked quietly. ”Wait, what are you talking about? ” Thorzan responds, shocked by the question coming from Imani. All of a sudden, laughter as loud as the sounds from the bell tower burst across the room. ”Thorzan, give the lady back her panties, ” Bazan said, laughingly. ”Wheres that coming from, sir? ” He was confused by the minute. ”Is that not yours over there? ” He pointed to a pair of mens briefs as he said. Quickly, he pulled his pants down and, to his surprise, there it was, Imanis red netty pants. As he hurriedly rushed out of it and into his, a funny comment was made by Bazan, saying, ”I don know, it kind of looked good on you, only your balls were screaming! Help me! ” After Imani had left, Thorzan asked, ”To what do I owe this visit, sir? ” ”Right, why did I come here again? ” he asks while tapping his finger on the side of the chair where his hands rested. ”It certainly wasn to see you in a thong, ” he said laughingly. ”Ah ha! ”Have you seen my brother? ” he asks with a tone of remembrance. ”No sir, I haven seen him in a while now, ” Thorzan responded. ”Humph, thats odd. Keep an eye on him for me and report back everything, and I mean every single detail, ” Bazan says. ”Oh and keep an eye out for officer Spike too, and report back to me. Theres something about him I don trust, can really put my finger on it, ” he added.

”Wait, hold up, what do you mean he was caught? ” Kwame and Wiz both said the same thing. ”Ughh! Again, with the choir thingy, are you deaf? ”What part of he being caught don you understand? ” Naima said. ”We got to do something about it, ” they said again in unison. ”Youve got to be kidding me right now, ” Naima said as she walked away before the boys could respond. ”Where did she go? Ouu! ”I knew she was a ghost. Wait, are we dead too? ” Kwame asks. ”Shut up, Kwame, you play too much, ” Wiz grumbled.

Desiree and Miles arrive very late at the Alpha Haven prison site. Immediately, Desiree walked out of the car and stomped into the building, calling out for Leo. As she approached Leos cell, officer Spike, who was guarding it, attempted to stop her. She quickly, without reasoning, pulled out Miles gun that she had taken from him and shot officer Spike. Taking the cell keys from the man bleeding and groaning from the floor, she opened the cells and let Leo out. ”Come on, baby, lets go, ” she said as she grabbed Leos hands and headed for the exit. On their way out, she bumped into Miles, who was right behind her. ”What the hell happened here? I heard gunshots, ” Miles asked curiously. ”Here, next time you arrest my son, youll have more than gunshots and a bleeding officer to think about, ” she said angrily as she handed over the gun to Miles. ”Wait what! How did you get this, and how the hell was I supposed to know he was your son, Vassa? Vassa! ”He responded furiously. ”Stay with me, Spikey, shit! ” He says as he tries to stop the bleeding. Alarmed by the sound of the gunshot, officer Jax rushed in. ”What in the hell happened here? ” He asked curiously. ”Oh thank God its you. Now stop asking questions and help me get him to my place so I can patch him up, ” Miles said. After patching up officer Spike in his kitchen with the help of officer Jax, he cautioned them, ”Now I know this goes without saying, but what happened today never happened. ” ”Copy sir, ” Jax responded. ”Alrighty, keep him out of sight, at least until hes fit to walk by himself. I got to wash this blood off me, ” he said as he dismissed them. He went up to the bedroom, heading towards the bathroom when the lights in his room came on. ”You are a hard man to track down, brother, ” said Bazan, who sat comfortably in the corner of the bedroom.

EPISODE FOUR

”Jeez, Zan, you scared the shit out of me. What are you even doing here? Don you have one of your many female friends, as you put it, to attend to? ”Miles asked as he stood there, still recovering from the scare Bazan gave him. ”I do, but I am pretty sure I would rather find out whose blood you got all over you, don you think? ” He added, ”Are you going to tell me or do I have to find out by myself? ” Miles responded as he headed towards the bathroom. I really can deal with you right now. I am tired. I need to wash up and catch some sleep. And honestly, its none of your business, so please do me a favour and stay out of it.

The next day, Kwame was headed to Wizs place to hatch a plan to help Leo when he bumped into Andriana. ”Watch where you
e going, ” Kwame said as he checked out the girl that stood before him. ”Im so sorry, ” she said as she kept hopping, not wanting to stop her run. ”You must not be from around here, else youd know better than to be running around here like that, ” Kwame said. Im Kwame. Some people call me Adonis because they say Im built like a Greek god, he added. ”No they don , ” Andriana replied, with a smirk on her face. ”First of all, how are you going to tell me, do you not see this body? ” he asked, flexing his muscles. ”Second, what was that on your face? ” he added. ”What? ” Andriana replied. ”That smirk, ” Kwame exclaimed. They both chuckled. You know, I didn catch your name, Kwame said. ”De Martell, Andriana De Martell, ” she said, tucking her hair behind her eyes. ”Oh you fancy, I see, well don be a stranger, ” he said as he kissed the hands of Andriana.

Back at Alpha Haven, Thorzan and Jax, along with a couple other officers, are working out in the gym. ”Wheres your buddy Spikey? ” Thorzan asks Jax. ”Why the sudden interest? ” Last I recall, you code agents once said, and I quote, we don mix with rookie cops, ” Jax replies, then quickly resumes his workout. Yeah, you
e right, I did say that. Well, Im only asking because, well, I guess I never saw the day Spikey would miss a workout session. I hope nothing is wrong, ”Thorzan says condescendingly. Well, if you must know, officer Spike is out handling some personal business. ”Does it have anything to do with you escorting him to his bunker very late last night? ” Thorzan inquired. ”Let me find out yall are into something shady, ” he added. ”You know, for a code agent, you
e really nosy, ” Jax teased as he continued with his workout. ”Yeah, whatever, ” Thorzan remarked as he joined his fellow code agents to workout.

Brother! What is this, a security detail? What am I, a toddler? Miles asks as he barges into the dining area of his brothers condo. He added, ”You know, Im not even going to ask how he got a key to my place because Im pretty sure you had something to do with it. Ill have my locks changed and never again am I to be followed by him, he says, while pointing to officer Thorzan. Will you stop ranting like a corn mill without a regulator and join me for breakfast already? Its too early and, honestly, I couldn care less about what got you so wound up. Bazan remarked. You know, Thorzan guarding you is just a… how do you call it, a safety call? Rumour has it that Blooms goons have been lurking around, gathering information. We might have our differences, but at the end of the day, you
e still my brother, and Id hate for you to be unprepared if theres any truth to the rumours circulating. Whats that saying they always say about family again? He says this while snapping his fingers in an attempt to recall something. Aha, blood is thicker than water, he added, with an ear to ear grin on his face. Frankly, I think they
e the reason for the security alert during the great hall meeting. He kept going and going. ”Wait, you were aware of that? ” Miles inquired. Of course I did. Nothing happens here that I don know about, Bazan replied, as he slurped more of his coffee.

As Kwame arrives at Wizs crib, he meets him sitting outside, reading. ”Ay bro, you would never believe what just happened, ” Kwame said in excitement. ”What the hell took you so long? ” Wiz asked. Thats what Im trying to tell you. I think I just met the most beautiful girl on this side of town, Kwame replied. Thats just by the way, though, is your mom around. Im starving. Did she make those mashed potatoes like she always does? Man, shut up and listen closely. You talk too much. Wiz exclaimed. Is that you, Leo? Kwame asked as he heard Leo in a heated argument with his mom. Kwame and Wiz have been friends since childhood. They even consider themselves twins from different parents, which is funny because they are nothing alike. It wasn until Leo and Desiree moved in next door to Wizs house that they became friends. Theyve been inseparable since then, despite their one too many scuffles.

Hold up, how are you going to ask me how I got arrested when you haven answered me yet? ”Leo exclaimed. How is it that you were able to walk up to the Alpha Haven prison and bust me out, shoot a cop and not get us both killed in the process? He added. I have my ways, Desiree replied. ”Now answer my question, ” she added. ”You
e sleeping with him, aren you? ” Leo asked. Boy, shut up. How do you think you were able to attend that private school you dropped out of? Ungrateful ass. Desiree said. How could you, mom? ”Leo remarked. I thought you said they were responsible for Dads death. How could you disrespect him like that? He added Boy, you better watch your tone with me before I send you to meet your father real soon. I have tolerated a lot of shit from you, but disrespect ain going to be one of them. I loved your father more than life itself, just like I love you. He was the first man to truly love me for who I am. Not even my own father loved me like that and I know those people up there are responsible for his death and thats exactly why Im doing all this. Now, believe it or not, I will find justice for your fathers death, even if I have to sleep with the very people that took him from us. Desiree sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks believe you mom, ”Leo remarked as he wiped tears off his cheeks. Come here, ”she said as they both hugged it out. ”

EPISODE FIVE

The following morning, at first light, the boys from Under City were playing basketball like they usually do on the weekends. They find themselves making fun of one another about how embarrassing each of them played at various points in the game, after what seemed to be an exciting game that Leo and his team, together with Kwame and Wiz, lost graciously. Leo notices Naima having an argument with an Alpha Haven cop as they approach the border between Alpha Haven and the Under City. Leo started to go help Naima, but Kwame and Wiz stopped him, saying that even though he probably doesn recognize her, he should trust them that she can handle herself. They also reminded him that since he had just been released from prison, it wouldn be a good idea to get into an argument with someone from Alpha Haven. ”That reminds me, how did you get out again? Because I know the security over there is tight, ”said Wiz. ”Yeah, how did you get out? ” Kwame added. Don worry about all of that, and Im still going over there, Leo remarked. Ay! ”Are you okay? ” Leo asked, with outstretched arms to help Naima off the floor. Just as she was getting up, Leo let go of her hand, leaving her to tinkle on the ground. ”Ouch! What was that for? ” said Naima. Just as Leo was about to talk, she slid her feet over and knocked Leo down. ”Ouch! What was that for? ” he asked, with a glimpse of shock on his face. ”That was for letting me fall down. You
e lucky I didn break your teeth for what you did, ” she said. How are you mad at me when you
e the reason I got arrested? ”Leo asked. Don blame that on me. Its not my fault you were sloppy, ”she teased as she tried imitating Leo running from the cops. ”Ha ha, very funny, now let me up, ” Leo asked. Say please, says Naima. ”Seriously, ” replied Leo, ”Do you want to get up or not? ” Naima exclaimed. ”Fine, ” Leo says, as he adds sarcastically, ”could you please help me up? ” Unaware that Leo intended on pulling her back down, she quickly fell to the ground as she stretched out her arms to help him off the floor. When Wiz and Kwame came close to Leo and Naima, who were lying on the ground, Kwame cleared his throat. They picked them up off the ground, bid them farewell, and mocked Leo all the way back home.

Leos mother and Wizs mother were leaving their house to do grocery shopping and were on their way to the town square. Because it was the sole commerce hub in the entire region that wasn subject to organisation or governmental regulation, even residents of the Under City were able to conduct business there. The people managed it alone. They chatted about practically everyone they knew from Alpha Haven and the Under City as they travelled. These kinds of errands helped the two grow so close that one could claim they were practically inseparable. Since they genuinely thought of themselves as sisters, people frequently believed they were sisters, and they never bothered to correct them. They are as thick as thieves.

On the way home, Kwame spotted Andriana and immediately told the boys of his crush on her. ”You know shes from Alpha Haven, right? ” Leo remarked. Kwame inquired, ”How do you know? ” Wiz added, saying, ”You forgot he was attending that boogie school. ” Honestly, it doesn even matter; the heart wants what the heart wants, and my heart definitely wants her, Kwame said. Just be careful, Leo cautioned as they continued their journey.

Back at the town square, Mansa notices a familiar look on Desirees face. I know that look, but what are you up to this time, Mansa says? ”Huh, ” Desiree replies abruptly. Girl, whose poor son do you have your eyes on now? God help him, she teased. ”Girl, I don know what you are talking about, ” she said in denial. Mm mm, I see you, Mansa teased, Before Desiree could get a word in, and there came Thorzan. He wasn in his usual uniform because he always liked to keep a low profile since it was the only place residents of both cities could be in the same place without causing any commotion, although they always made sure to steer clear of each others path. ”Whats a beautiful lady like yourself doing here all by herself carrying this heavy load? ” he said. ”I don know, you tell me, ” Desiree replied flirtatiously. He holds up Desirees hand, landing a million kisses on it as an ear-to-ear grin appears on Desirees face. Well, I wouldn want to interrupt your conversation, ladies. ”I leave you to yalls conversation, ” he said, as he slid a piece of paper into Desirees palm as he whispered, ”Call me. ” Mansa inquired, and Desiree replied, ”He just asked. ”Well damn, Mansa said. Well, what about Miles? She added. What about him? Desiree replied. Okay, you do you girl, ”Mansa said as they resumed their grocery shopping.

Miles goes to visit Officer Spike to see how hes doing. Little did he know he was being followed by his brother, Bazan. On his arrival, he finds officer Jax there sitting and sipping beer with officer Spike. Since Spike assisted him on their first day of officer training, Jax and Spike have become friends. Since then, they have remained close. Jax is married and has a son and a daughter as kids. Jax has attempted to convince Spike of the value of marriage and commitment numerous times without success, but he has refused to give up. In fact, he has made it his personal goal to find Spike a suitor. These twos friendship is the envy of most of the officers at Alpha Haven, especially the code agents.

Miles mocked, ”You must be feeling better if youve had five bottles and are still counting. ” Make that six because I called dibs on the last one, officer Spike said jokingly. Miles said as he chucked the last bottle of beer down his throat, finishing it in one sip, ”that my friend would not be. Seriously though, how are you feeling? ”He added. ”Better than most days, ” Spike replied. I know thats right, Jax pitched in. Now this goes without saying, but what happened before can never be shared with anyone; it stays right here, Miles cautioned. ”You got it, boss, ” they both assured him. Good, because the last thing Id want is for my brother to find out what Miles said. ”Find out what, ” Bazan said, interrupting their little tea party, as he puts it.

EPISODE SIX

”Find out what? ” Bazan asks. Don stop on my account, please. ”Continue, what can I not find out? ” he added. Still silent, he said, with his patience dwindling. Last time I checked, a couple of beers didn make you tongue tied, did it? Before he could utter another word, Miles walked him out. What has gotten into you, brother? Miles asked. Oh no, don turn this around on me. You
e the one whos keeping secrets, and don get me started about you mingling with those low-lives. Bazan replied with fury in his voice. ”Do you hear yourself talking? ” Miles asked. I take it you
e not going to tell me what is going on, ”Bazan replied. You leave me with no choice, Miles. ”I tried to keep things civil. I really tried, ” Bazan threatened. He left with an unexplainable expression on Miles face. Mansa and Desiree returned home. The boys were out front talking about only God knows what when they returned. ”Boy, I know you see me carrying this heavy load by myself. Now get up here and help your mom before I slap you in next week, ” Desiree said. Mansa cleared her throat, and immediately, Leo was up, with Wiz right behind him to help their mothers. Kwame bid them goodbye as he headed home. He was living alone after he decided it was time he fended for himself. He was abandoned by his parents after the war had ended between Alpha Haven and the Under City. His parents thought if they left him at Alpha Haven, some rich family would find him and pick him up so he could have a better life, far better than they could offer him. Fortunately for him, Mansa and her husband found him on their way back from Alpha Haven crying by the dumpster and took him in. They were excited to give Wiz a brother. Mr. Wizs dad, Mr. Frimpong, was originally a citizen of Alpha Haven. Mansa was the love of his life. Because of how much he loved her, he risked his life to join Mansa at the under city. Little did he know that that decision would result in him receiving death threats. He didn want to put his family at risk, so he just got up and went one day without saying anything to them. He has resented him ever since, to the extent of rejecting the name his father gave him, Frimpong Junior, because he felt unwanted by his father. Thats why he left them.

On his way back home, Andriana approached him. ”I saw you earlier today, ” she said. ”Why didn you come say hi? ” she added. Nothing, Kwame replied. She chuckled as she draped her necklace around Kwames neck. ”Let this remind you of me, ” she said as she kissed him so passionately it made Kwames toes curl. ”I got to run, ” she said as she fled the scene. Kwame was still recovering from that kiss as he found his way back home.

Officer Jax returns home only to discover that his wife and kids have guns pointed at them seated on the couch. Bazan was seated across from them, petting their pet cat and munching on an apple. Ahh, talk of the devil, the man of the hour, welcome home, honey, Bazan said. Jax asked with trembling in his voice for fear that either his wife or kids or both had been hurt by the monster who sat comfortably in his living room, in his chair, and eating his goddamn food. Whose blood is that on the carpet? Bazan laughed mischievously and said, ”Calm down, take a seat. Don worry, no one is hurt, and it is going to remain that way so long as you comply with the rules of this game. ” ”You didn answer my question, ” Jax said ragingly. Oh that, that would be the dogs, what did you say its name was again? He asked the little girl, who, out of fear, started crying. The mom and the senior brother began consoling her. Well, that took a turn. Anyways, the blood is the dogs. He had quite a mouth on him, or she, I couldn really tell, but Im hoping you also have quite a mouth on you. That would certainly make this game fun.

Bazan received a phone call, after which he said, ”It looks like I am going to have a magical evening. You could too, that is, if you tell me what I want. I am not going to waste your time, so I will cut to the chase. What secret is my brother keeping from me? Jax fumbles and says, ”I don know what you are talking about. ” ”Wrong answer, ” Bazan says as he pulls a gun and shoots Jaxs daughter. I told you I wasn playing; are you going to tell me what I want to know, or are you going to bury your daughter alongside your dog? She was pretty shaken by his sudden demise. Now the first bullet didn probably cause harm to her, but believe me, she wouldn be so lucky the second time. Tell the man what he wants to know Jax, your daughter is dying, his wife said as she continued wailing and trying to prevent her little girl from losing too much blood. Listen to your wife, Jax. Bazan said that she has always been a wise woman, which makes me wonder why she married you. Jax remained silent. Infuriated by his silence, Bastian pulls the gun again. ”Okay, okay, fine, I will tell you, ” Jax said angrily. Chop, chop, I don have all night, Bazan exclaimed. Finally, Jax gave up and told him all that he knew. Was it really that difficult now, Bazan wondered as he stood to leave? When he got to the door, he turned and shot Jax in the leg and said, ”That was for delaying my magical evening. Oh, and I am keeping the cat. He or she is just so adorable, he added.

EPISODE SEVEN

That evening, Thorzan and Desiree met up for a sneaky link after Desiree decided to call the number he gave her. She already knew he wasn from the under city because she knew almost every eligible bachelor from the under city except Thorzan, who was married to Suzanne De Martell and was still very much in his life because of their daughter, the infamous Andriana De Martell. Fortunately for her, Thorzan had no idea she was from the under city, although Miles did. She planned on keeping it that way.

Later that evening, Miles fumingly headed over to his brothers residence after receiving a daunting call from Jax. He was immediately stopped at the entrance by one of Bazans guards. Get out of my way, ”Miles ” said, still angry. I am sorry, I can do that, sir, he responded. I need to see my brother. ”He is busy at the moment, sir, ” the guard replied. I bet he is. ”Now, boy, you need to get out of my way, ” Miles said. ”He will kill me if I let you in, ” the guard exclaimed. You asked for it, Miles said, as he shot the guard in the head. Immediately, he entered. He saw another guard, guarding the stairwell that leads to the bedroom. With his gun still in his hands, he said to the guard, ”Are you going to stop me? ” The guard, with his hands up high, made way for Miles to come and pass. Thats what I thought, Miles remarked. The higher he went up the staircase, the louder the moans from the bedroom got. Infuriated by the sounds coming from the bedroom, he quickly barged into the bedroom, shot the lady in the head and pointed the gun at Bazan. Unshook by the turn of events, he said, ”Oops, poor girl. She was out of this world. ”Fare thee well, ghost rider. ” Get it? Because she was still riding when you shot her, he said to Miles, and laughed at his pun. You know, I should kill you right now. Miles said, in complete shock, that he was related to the man standing before him. You should, Bazan replies. If you don , I will kill you, and brother, I won miss. ”You know what, I can deal with this right now, ” Miles said as he walked out the door. Bazan exclaimed, ”Hey, are you just going to leave me with her here? ” as he laughed out so loudly that the guard downstairs heard him.

As he exited Bazans residence, his mind was foggy, and without knowing where he was going, he bumped into Desiree, who was on her way back home after her little sneaky link with Thorzan. He said, unsure of his vision. Is it really you? What are you doing around here at this hour? Did we plan to meet and I forgot about it? ”He added. ”Miles, you don look good, ” she said. Why did you come here? Where are you coming from? And why do you have a gun? ”What did you do? ” she said as she helped him and escorted him back to his residence. As she was leaving, Miles held her back and said, ”Wait, Vassa, don leave. ” Please stay the night with me. You know, I can do that, Miles. I have a son waiting for me at home, she said, as she relieved her hands of him. Besides, you know, I can be seen around here, she added. Please Vassa, don leave me like this. I need you. I know I am not your favourite person right now because of what happened, but please don leave me. That reminds me, he added, of what Bazan found out about the other day, so you might want to keep your son on a low profile. He is hell-bent on scapegoating him to show off how much power he has. He is very dangerous, Vassa, so you and your boy should be very careful. Without saying a word, Desiree walked to the door, and just as she was about to leave, Miles asked, ”Oh, and Vassa, seeing your son took me back to nineteen years ago when you complained about missing your period the first time we got intimate. What are you talking about, Miles? You are drunk. Give me the bottle, she said as she walked back to take the bottle of alcohol from him. He held her arms tight and looked directly into her eyes and asked, ”Is Leo my son? ” Get off of me, she said as she freed herself from his tight grip, and you are too drunk to think for yourself. Get some sleep, she added as she quickly walked out of there. After Bazan had finished cleaning himself up, he requested Thorzan. Thorzan arrived and was confused as to what happened at Bazans residence. He explained everything to him and asked him to take care of the bodies. He also told him everything Jax had told him and ordered that Thorzan find Leo and bring him his head. Thorzan laughed out loud after hearing that. ”What is so funny? ” Bazan inquired, with a very stern tone. ”Oh, wait, you are serious about that, ” he asked. As a heart attack, Bazan replied. It is either his head or yours. The choice is yours, he said, and exited the scene as the wind rippled through the curtains in the room, sending shivers down Thorzans spine.

EPISODE EIGHT

The next morning, the boys are off to the basketball court. Desiree didn get the chance to see Leo when she got home last night. He was fast asleep when she got home, and she didn want to wake him up because he looked so peaceful in his sleep. When she woke up and found out Leo was not there, she panicked. The memory of what Miles had told her about his brother came flashing back to her. Without wasting time, she quickly grabbed her purse to go look for him. She rushed out with so much aggression that Mansa, who was smoking her vape pen outside, was startled. Mansa exclaimed, ”Hey girl, where are you? You look terrible by the way. ” Oh hey, have you seen Leo? ”Desiree asked. Oh, he and the boys went to play basketball. You know how they are about their basketball, Mansa replied. Damn it, Leo, Desiree exclaimed. What is it, girl? ”Mansa asked curiously. After Desiree told her all that Miles had told her the night before, she quickly ran inside to grab her purse and said, ”I am going with you. ”

Back at the basketball court, the guys were done playing and were about to head home when Naima came around. She inquired after noticing the necklace Andriana had given him. Woah, woah, woah, I didn even see it, Wiz exclaimed. ”Did you see it? ” he asked Leo. ”Nope, ” Leo responded. My girl gave it to me the last time after she blew my mind with the most sumptuous kiss ever, Kwame said in a bragging tone. Leo asked. ”You mean Andriana, from Alpha Haven? ” Yeah, Kwame responded. ”I don know, man, be careful about her, ” Leo added. What he said, Naima and Wiz said in sync. Well, where are yall heading? I am heading to the town square. You coming with me? Naima asked the guys. Sure, why not? They chorused.

Soon after they left for the town square, Mansa and Desiree arrived. ”Shit, we missed them, ” Desiree said in frustration. Hey, have you seen these boys? Mansa showed a photo of them to some of the other players who were still playing the ball. Oh yeah, they went that way, one of them replied. That way leads to the town square. What in the hell are they going to do there? Desiree said impatiently. ”Lets hurry and catch up with that girl, ” Mansa said as he sipped some of her vape pen.

When they got to the town square, they stopped to buy some snacks. Naima took a couple of the snacks and told the guys to pay for them. What do you need all these snacks for? Don you have the ones you got from the Alpha Haven food bank? Kwame asked as Leo and Wiz seconded. Unfortunately for them, Thorzan was also at the stand where they sold the snacks and overheard them. He quickly remembered what Bazan had told him the night before, and as egotistical as he was, he wasn going to have his head decapitated for no reason. He loved himself, probably more than life itself. He quickly rushed to gather reinforcements from his other code agents. Just as Naima and the squad were about to leave the town square, they were quickly surrounded by code agents. Desiree and Mansa arrived at the town square on time to see Thorzan and his crew kidnap their boys. She quickly recognised Thorzan and immediately followed them so as to catch up with them to find out what was going on. Thorzan and the other code agents arrive in the middle of what looks like an abandoned villa, except that it wasn abandoned. Thorzan began questioning his prisoners, making sure he had all the information he needed. As condescending as he was, he also made sure he was certain of a decision before he took it. Kwame spat on his feet when he got to him. He quickly landed a heavy slap on his cheeks. Thats when he noticed the necklace he had given to Andriana, his daughter. It was the only thing he had of his mother, and it was of sentimental value to him. He quickly pulled it off him and asked, ”Where did you get this from? ” Kwame, furious, spat on his face for slapping the shit out of him, which infuriated him the more. He immediately went dark, which wasn a good thing for Kwame. Without thinking, he jumped on him, puking him near the point of death. Then suddenly, he stopped at the sound of a familiar voice that called out his name. He turned and, surprised to see her, he said, ”Vassa. Mom? Leo remarked.

EPISODE NINE

Vassa? Mom? Thorzan and Leo said, still in shock. With blood all over him, Thorzan knelt down in shame at what he had done. He vowed never to lay hands on a kid ever again after he accidentally killed a kid during one of his episodes. He sat on the floor, crying shamefully. Desiree walked towards Kwame, who was bleeding so badly he asked Mansa to help patch him up. Mansa was a nurse at the under city community clinic, and with the conflict between the two neighbouring cities after the aftermath of the war, this type of injury wasn new to her. Naima swiftly but silently freed herself from the rubber ties. Desiree then said out loud, ”I am going to walk out of here with the kids and nobody is going to stop me. Then he quickly stood up and pointed his gun at Desiree and said, ”Not going to happen. ” ”Fuck you, Thorzan, ” Desiree said angrily. Thorzan laughed out loud that it irritated Bloom, whose place of sleep they were. He replied, ”Desiree, you already did that, ” and laughed some more. Desiree rose from the floor to assist the children. As he fired a warning shot into the air, Thorzan said, ”Take one more step and your head will fall off your body. ” Don you get it? This kid committed a crime and if I fail to pass judgement then I will be in trouble. It is either their head or mine, ”he added. Immediately after he finished his sentence, his head fell off his body. ”Be careful what you wish for, ” Bloom cautioned as he emerged from beneath the ground on which they were standing. ”Hello, my dearest niece, ” he said as he looked in the direction of Naima. ”Ready to tango? ” he asked. Hell yeah, ”Naima replied. Before they knew it, the whole place went dark, and by the time the lights were back on, all of Thorzans men lay on the ground with him, dead. Thats what you get for trespassing, Bloom said as he licked the blood off his finger. ”Sweet, ” he said. Desiree stood there surprised and all she could say was, ”Chacharas? Bloom instantly dropped his sword, looked back, and the only word he could utter was Vassa. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no this can not be, you are dead, Vassa is dead, stop playing with my mind you imposter, she is dead, she is dead, dead, dead, he said as he returned underground, leaving them all completely stunned.

To be continued….